[roger1818]

Only Yagi's receive about a 3dB boost for being optimized for ch. 14-51. Bowtie antennas are inherently wider band and will benefit less. For example, while Antenna Direct's DB4e is marketed to have double (3dB) the gain of a DB4 (thus the same gain as a DB8), in reality it only has about 0.8dB more gain (from their own specifications, 14.5 dBi vs 13.7 dBi). It is speculated that someone in their marketing department tried to compare dBi with dBd specs.

 

[mikep54]

Antenna gain?

I'm thinking about updating my antenna. I'm looking at the Antennacraft 1850 and the Channel Master 3671. I see the specs on the 1850 but nowhere can I find the actual gain numbers for the 3671...(VHF-lo, VHF-hi and UHF). Any help is appreciated.

 

[roger1818]

^^^It is a retail link, so I can't post it in this thread, but the CM Store says the CM-3671 has the following specs:

• Average gain VHF Lo/VHF Hi/UHF (dB): 5.6/10.9/10.0
• Turning Radius: 96”
• Number of Elements: 61

Having said that, manufacturers use different methods of calculating gain (some are more optimistic than others), so it is difficult to compare between brands (and sometimes even within the same brand).

 

[Jase88]

New Masterpiece Antenna Series CM-5020

While I don't have information on the CM-3671, a Channel Master dealer was able to provide me with information on their new "Masterpiece Series" antennas.

The CM-5020 antenna, a 2-69 combo, rated up to 100 miles:

- VHF gain low: 4.5dBi
- VHF gain high: 10dBi
- UHF gain: 16dBi
- F/B dB VHF L: 12 dB
- F/B dB VHF H: 10-17 dB
- F/B Ratio: 15-20 dB
- Angle VHF L: 63
- Angle VHF H: 34
- Angle UHF: 39
- Dims Inches: 109.4 × 100 × 20
- Weight: 8.6 lbs
- CEA Rating: Large directional



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[brantford bill]

CM 5020

Jase88 just seen your post on that new masterpiece series antenna and i find those gain numbers hard to believe. The UHF portion of the antenna is almost non existent, and half of it is blocked by the boom support! If those gain numbers are anywhere near real it sounds like a good antenna, and at only just over 9 feet long its not to long either, the old CM 3671 was huge like 14.5 feet long, with not much different gain. He's an old chart i found with the CM 3671 gain on it.

Be very interested to hear of anyone with this new CM 5020 and how it works for them...

 

[Jase88]

Brantford Bill, remember that your gain numbers are referenced over a dipole (dBd), and not isotropic (dBi) as mine were.

I'm not sure what effect the boom support would have...be interesting to model it for sure.

 

[abnutcracker]

Listing for gain on the Masterpiece Series that was given is here -

http://www.channelmaster.com/Masterpiece_Antenna_Series_CM_5020_s/303.htm
http://channelmaster.zendesk.com/at...esk.com/attachments/token/fe9xoxmahwswa7z/?name=CM5016_5018_5020_Data_Sheet.pdf

Hopefully we can get more people asking questioning to get further details here -

http://channelmaster.zendesk.com/home

I see there was a response on the CM7400 issues -

Letter From Channel Master Regarding Channel Master TV

Channel Master
posted this on Feb 10 21:03


Dear Channel Master TV Users,

Channel Master TV has been the most exciting product launch for Channel Master in several years. It has been judged by the industry’s top reviewers and voted best of 2012 by Electronic House Magazine. So we were surprised when we heard reports of heat related functionality problems and we immediately began investigating them. Here is what we have learned.


First and foremost, Channel Master TV was thoroughly tested in both real world and lab environments prior to the release of the product with no indication of temperature related functionality issues. We know that most DVR’s will run warmer than standard set-top boxes without a hard disk drive and DVR capabilities. This is true for most cable and satellite DVR’s. But some users have expressed their concern that the CM7400 is operating considerably warmer than they have experienced with other products. At the same time we continue to receive emails and calls from users saying that they are very happy with how the CM7400 performs and that it is the best option in its category. What can explain all of this?

We discovered early on that the timing we programmed to retrieve guide data was incorrect and would cause the CM7400 to lock-up while downloading the PSIP electronic program guide in certain markets. To fix this we adjusted the PSIP download timing to accommodate all markets regardless of when the PSIP data is received. On January 18, 2012 we released a software update that corrected this issue as well as added new features and other general enhancements.

After the software update we were pleased to hear from customers that the update had resolved the lock-up issues they had been experiencing. How does this relate to the temperature concern? Well unfortunately at this point many consumers were speculating that the lock-up issue was due to the temperature of the CM7400 and many users commented on this in product reviews, forums and blogs. This has left many users and potential users concerned about the temperature even though temperature had no influence on the lock-up issue. Through our testing we are still unable to reproduce issues related to temperature.

Channel Master has been committed to quality for over 60 years. For those who have had concerns, we apologize for any anxiety we may have caused. To stand behind our commitment to quality we will be extending the CM7400 warranty period to a full 1 year warranty from purchase date. In addition, we will continue to make software enhancements that will improve the overall functionality of the CM7400, including improved channel scanning performance, new advanced features and potentially new content partners.

Our future road map is focused on Channel Master TV, new innovation, and the future of television. With any new innovation there will be some bumps in the road but we want our customers to know that we are committed and strive to have the best quality and most innovative products.

As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your Channel Master TV unit to the retailer where you purchased it from for a full refund within the time frame specified in your retailer’s standard return policy.

Thank you for your patience and support.

Channel Master

http://channelmaster.zendesk.com/en...esk.com/entries/20992748-letter-from-channel-master-regarding-channel-master-tv

 

[holl_ands]

WOW...C-M changed over to dBi in the new Masterpiece Series specs,
vice dBd they and others have used for decades.... [dBi = dBd + 2.15]

WELCOME TO THE MODERN WORLD.....

 

[Jase88]

What surprises me is that this new antenna series still supports reception to channel 69, as well as VHF low. Their competition has been putting out 7-51 combos for a while now...

 

[alebowgm]

I am sure there are still some non-North American markets that you 51-69.

 

[Jase88]

Sure...and some low-power stations that are still active above channel 51 in Canada and the US. And still some low-VHF stations. But get with the times! Where many do need these peripheral reception capabilities....

 

[USA CBC fan]

(alebowgm wrote):
I am sure there are still some non-North American markets that you 51-69.

Very few low-power analog repeaters in Canada.

In the U.S., not a one, at least not legally. All translators and LPTVs were ordered off 52-69 by the end of December 31, 2011. Toledo lost TBN over the air on channel 68 several hours before that.

 

[HWP]

Antennas Direct seems to be the most nimble company by far.

Channel Master seems to have a graphic designer and an ad copy writer -- little-to-no innovative products.

How about updated tuner chips in their existing set-top box products? Obsolete chip sets, in my opinion, shows a disrespect toward customers.

Disappointing CM.

 

[wilspin]

I am avoiding buying their products. Backorders still a big problem. Clearly they are not adding resources to meet demand. Poor after sale service. AD & Winegard doing much better job.

 

[abnutcracker]

It looks like the CM3671 has had its final production run .So ,what ever product is now available will be the last through retail The CM5020 is now the main focus for the future for that range of antenna.

 

[roger1818]

It looks like the CM3671 has had its final production run .So ,what ever product is now available will be the last through retail

Not surprising, the market for a VHF/FM/UHF combo antenna has become very small as few places still use VHF-LO. An equivalent VHF-HI/UHF antenna is much smaller.

The CM5020 is now the main focus for the future for that range of antenna.

The CM Store lists the CM-3020 as the closest replacement.

 

[alforddm]

CM7778 amp for my situation?

I live in a very rural area far from most of the antennas with the exception of one pbs repeater. Here is my TVfool report using coordinates http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id=2df9571e180d1f. The pbs station with the strong signal will be almost 180 Degrees from the other channels I want to receive. If I add a CM7778 amp with a good outdoor antenna (I have an RCA ANT751R antenna but am probably going to buy a better one or try my hand at building a gray hoverman). Will I get overload from channel 23? I did try reading the amplifier sheet but I'm not understanding the max input numbers.

Thanks in advance...

 

[old sparks]

alforddm;

Two stations on 15 and two on 28 - that's hard luck.

I'm guessing that with a decent UHF antenna pointed south, the PBS station won't overload your preamp.

I went from a no-name 4-bay bowtie to a HD8800 and actually lost some of the weaker locals from the rear of the antenna, as the HD8800 has pretty good front-to-back ratio on the lower UHF channels.

Get your antenna up as high as possible...

 

[abnutcracker]

The CM Store lists the CM-3020 as the closest replacement.

In our area the CM5020 is the most requested.The focus by Channel Master is towards the newest product from what I was told .The CM5020 is Size: 116(L) × 101.5(W) inches compared to the Antenna Size: 173 x 110 x 35.4 in .For the CM5020 it's much easier to mount and decent results when used with a combiner .

 

[roger1818]

In our area the CM5020 is the most requested.

Why? The only station I see on VHF-LO in your area (Windsor) is WLMB-DT, and it seems to be too weak to pull in for a digital VHF-LO station. Why not go for a deep fringe VHF-HI/UHF combo antenna instead? The lack of VHF-LO elements will make it about half as wide.